A STUDENT entrepreneur falsely claimed his car had changed to a smaller engine to dodge the higher motor tax rate, a court heard.

Tornike Chamiashvili (25) made a "silly mistake" when he tried to deceive staff at the tax office into accepting his claim.

Dublin District Court heard he had been trying to save money and stood to gain €170 if he had moved to the lower tax bracket.

The accused, of Woodbine Road, Raheny, admitted inducing an employee of the Motor Tax Office by deception to accept a form stating his vehicle's 2,171cc engine had been replaced with a 1,995cc engine.

Judge John Cheatle struck the charge out after he paid €150 to charity. However, the judge said he took a "dim view of this premeditated act".

Vehicle

Dublin District Court heard Chamiashvili went to the office on Blackhall Walk on March 2 last year. He said his vehicle had changed from a larger to a smaller engine size. This had not taken place.

Defence barrister Oisin Clarke said the most he could have saved was €170. It was a "foolish mistake" and was "not worth it considering where he finds himself". He was studying business and entrepreneurship and had been "trying to save money", Mr Clarke added.